{"id":88038,"date":"2026-06-08T14:33:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T13:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=88038"},"modified":"2026-06-12T13:57:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T12:57:47","slug":"review-viltrox-af-90mm-f-2-2-evo-aps-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-viltrox-af-90mm-f-2-2-evo-aps-c\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: Viltrox AF 90mm f\/2.2 EVO (APS-C)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Viltrox
Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO on a Nikon Zfc<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

After releasing three full-frame lenses in its mid-tier EVO series, positioned between the Air and Pro lines, Viltrox has now turned its attention to APS-C users with the simultaneous release of two new lenses: the 75mm f\/1.8 and the 90mm f\/2.2.<\/p>\n

In this review, I take a closer look at the AF 90mm f\/2.2 STM ED IF, which offers a full-frame equivalent field of view of approximately 135mm\u2014the classic short-telephoto focal length prized for tight portraits, weddings, and isolating distant details.<\/p>\n

\"camera-icon2\"I tested this lens on a Nikon Zfc<\/a>.
\n\"\"You can see this review as\u00a0a\u00a0YouTube\u00a0video\u00a0here<\/a>!
\n\"\"Sample images in high resolution here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"\"
Nikon Zfc | Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO | f\/2.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO | f\/2.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO | f\/2.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO | f\/2.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO | f\/3.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"
Nikon Zfc | Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO | f\/2.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO | f\/2.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO | f\/2.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO | f\/2.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nikon Zfc | Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO | f\/2.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Focal Length<\/td>\n90mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angle of View<\/td>\n18.6\u00b0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
# of Aperture Blades<\/td>\n9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max Aperture<\/td>\nf\/2.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Aperture<\/td>\nf\/16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min Focus Distance<\/td>\n0.74 m (0.14X)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Filter Size<\/td>\n58mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lens Mount<\/td>\nE, X, Z<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n\u2248 320 g (E), 325 g (XF), 345 g (Z)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Size (D x L)<\/td>\n\u00a0\u224869×76 mm (E, X), 69x78mm (Z)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elements\/Group<\/td>\n10\/8
\n(2 High-refractive index and 2 extra-low dispersion elements)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"\"
Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO | Lens construction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Buy new:<\/strong> Viltrox Store<\/a>, Amazon (anywhere)<\/a>, AliExpress<\/a>,\u00a0 for $358 (Affiliate links)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"Viltrox
Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO on a Nikon Zfc<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Disclosure<\/span><\/h2>\n

Viltrox kindly provided this lens for test and review purposes.<\/p>\n

Handling and Build Quality<\/span><\/h2>\n

This Viltrox AF 90mm 2.2 Evo is one of the first two lenses in Viltrox\u2019s EVO lineup for APS-C sensors, and it handles more or less like its full-frame cousins. It’s quite compact and light for such a focal length. The body is made of hard plastic, while the rings are metal.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lens mount is metallic and also features, in addition to the electronic pins, a USB-C port for firmware updates. There is a red rubber gasket around the mount, providing weather sealing.<\/p>\n

It features a dedicated de-clickable aperture ring similar in style and function to Sony\u2019s GM and later G lenses.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the right side of the lens, there is an AF\/MF switch and a function button.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The aperture ring has 1\/3 of a stop click stops \u2013 which you can declick by using a lever on the right side of the lens.
\nYou can also set the ring to \u201cA\u201d(utomatic) and let the camera choose the aperture value or to be able to use the camera dial to change the aperture value instead of using the aperture ring.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The dedicated aperture ring allows to preset the desired aperture when the camera is not turned on yet, which can save crucial time in the heat of the moment.<\/p>\n

The focus ring has decent damping and a non-linear coupling. The faster you turn the focus ring, the shorter the rotation needed from the minimum focus distance (0.34 m) to infinity.
\nWhen you turn your camera off, the lens will remember the last focus position and will still be there when you turn the camera on again.<\/p>\n

The autofocus is accurate and quiet, but the speed is only average.<\/p>\n

The lens comes with the usual front and rear caps, as well as a lens hood, which is quite basic but attaches securely to the lens with a click.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Optical Features<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Viltrox 90mm f\/2.2 EVO | MTF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sharpness (Infinity)<\/span><\/h3>\n

For the infinity sharpness test, we\u2019ll look at three areas of the image \u2014 center, mid-frame, and corner \u2014 as highlighted below. Focus was set on the center of the image!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I focused on the center of the image.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Infinity sharpness chart | Nikon Zfc | Focus on the center of the image<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is a very sharp lens across the frame. While the center delivers the highest level of sharpness, the corners remain impressively sharp and are by no means soft. This is one of the sharpest APS-C lenses we have ever tested, at any aperture and in any part of the frame.\u00a0Some color fringing is visible in the corners, however, but I will return to that later in the review.<\/p>\n

Sharpness (Portrait)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s look at the points of interest for portraits at the portrait distance: the very centre, the centre\u2019s inner periphery\u00a0 (1\/3 rule intersection), and the centre\u2019s outer periphery (1\/4th intersection).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Portrait Sharpness Points of Interest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here, I focused independently on the center, mid-frame, and corner areas.<\/p>\n